North Jetty (Hikkaduwa) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got to be straight with you – the outlook for North Jetty (Hikkaduwa) over the next 16 days is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor conditions, starting right now and carrying right through. There’s no real standout session to get excited about, so temper your expectations.

The water temp is sitting at 83°F – a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so it’s pleasant if you’re just having a float, but the surf quality is the real issue.

Let’s run through it. From Sunday, July 19, right through to Tuesday, July 22, the onshore and cross-onshore winds are blowing from the west at 15 to 16 mph, and the swell is small – mostly around 3 ft to 4 ft with short periods. The combined energy readings are moderate (462 to 805), but the wind chop is making a mess of it. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions” all the way.

Wednesday, July 23, through to Saturday, July 26, sees a bit of a drop in swell size (2 ft to 3 ft) and the same persistent west winds. The swell direction is from the SSW or SW, with periods around 12 to 14 seconds – that’s longer period, suggesting better shape, but the wind is still cross-onshore, keeping it choppy and messy. Energy levels are moderate (338 to 521). Still no good.

Then from Sunday, July 27, right through to Monday, August 3, the pattern doesn’t change. Swell hovers around 2 ft to 5 ft, mostly from the SW or SSW, with periods reaching 16 to 20 seconds at times – that’s proper long period, but the west winds are relentless. On Monday, August 3, we see a 5 ft to 6 ft SSW swell with 16 to 17 second periods, and the combined energy jumps to strong (1650 to 1694). But the wind is still cross-onshore or onshore at 15 to 16 mph, and the wave comment stays “poor surf conditions” or “marginal.” That’s too big for beginners, and with the wind, it’s only for experts who don’t mind a battle.

The best on offer? Honestly, there isn’t one. The winds are never clean, never offshore, and the swell is constantly wind-affected. The break is a point, and the optimum swell direction is SW, which we get plenty of, but the wind just ruins it. If you’re a kite surfer, the setup looks more interesting for you than for paddle surfing – the consistent west-southwest wind and moderate swell could work.

So, it’s a blank run. Hang tight, forecasts can change, but for now, leave the boards in the car.

Rusty.

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